Weekly
Healthy Advice From VÄXA
How Much Do You
Know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS) is a chronic functional disorder which affects 15-20%
of the American population. Also called spastic colon, colitis
or nervous stomach, this very irritating, sometimes life-interrupting
condition can have any or all of these symptoms:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is hard
to Diagnose
IBS doesn't show up in tests. Doctors usually diagnose Irritable
Bowel Syndrome after a sufferer tests negative for abnormalities
like polyps or colon cancer. The IBS patient may even be told
that it is "all in their head" or "stress-related", but many
Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers say the IBS itself is their
biggest source of stress, and can also cause anxiety and depression.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sufferers, take Heart!
IBS is not "all in the head", although it can be more active
during stressful situations. According to the International
Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD),
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is now defined as a disturbance in
the interaction between the intestines, brain signals, and
nervous system that alters the regularity of the bowel's function.
It is not known why it happens in some people and not in others.
Colitis, as Irritable Bowel Syndrome is sometimes labeled,
should not be confused with Ulcerative Colitis, which is
much more serious and considered a possible precursor to colon
cancer. IBS is not characterized by the pain, bleeding, or
severity of explosive loose bowel associated with ulcerative
colitis, and IBS is not shown in any study to cause more serious
colon conditions. It is chronic because there's no absolute
cure and can be with a person from childhood through old age.
There's Help for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS sufferers could improve by following these dietary and
intestinal cleansing instructions:
- Eliminate sugary baked goods, fried
foods, and dairy products. They all slow down the digestion.
Replace cow's milk and cheese with vitamin-fortified rice
or soy milk products (unless allergic to soy). Greek feta
cheese and goat's milk may be consumed infrequently.
- Don't take advice to eat more wheat
as fiber for your constipation. Wheat and also barley,
white rice and oats contain gluten which irritates
the intestines and colon. Replace these with breads, pastas
and cereals made from brown rice, millet, or quinoa
found in health food outlets or health aisles at some
grocery stores.
- The IBS sufferer should get their 25
grams of fiber per day from dark green vegetables, beans,
lentils, a limited amount of fruits with skins (apples,
plums, etc), and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can have
5 more grams of fiber than a dish of spinach.
- Avoid pork and alcoholic beverages.
Pork takes a long time to digest and can putrefy in a
person with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Alcohol contains
lots of sugar, yeast and can attract parasites.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be exacerbated
or accompanied by bad bacteria, yeast, or parasites. A
30-60 day colon cleanse can help.
April is National Irritable Bowel
Syndrome Awareness Month. Be considerate of folks with Irritable
Bowel Syndrome if they announce an inability to partake of
certain foods and drink! |
